The Rise Honors Program 

We strive to provide our students with a unique learning experience and opportunities to grow. Through the use of experiential learning and the team-teaching model, students are engulfed in a learning experience that helps them grow both academically and personally. Our accelerated curriculum allows for students to gain high school credit, but also allows for students to participate in experiences outside of the classroom.

 

​​Along with the mission statement of Independence Academy, the Rise Honors Program mission is to provide academically motivated students the ability to move at a more rigorous pace in order to move beyond the standard curriculum through the use of experiential learning opportunities, cross-curriculuar content, and student choice.

Curriculum

​​At IACS, the team-teaching model allows for two content specific teachers to work together to create cross-curricular lessons for our Rise Honor Students. Not only does this model allow for the classroom to come alive, students are supported by their teacher unlike any other classroom and are able to make connections within their learning. ​In 7th grade, Rise students take Leadership 101. They will explore leadership and communication styles, team building, and plan their very own community project. Leadership class gives students the skills and structure to complete the 8th grade capstone project the following year. 

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For the capstone project, students put all the skills they learned in Leadership to the test when they design and implement their own service project. To complete their Rise experience, 8th graders give a final Ted Talk-style presentation. 

Principles

Using our Rise Honors pillars, students' social and emotional needs are met. ​The Rise Honors Program is different than other honors programs as admission is not limited to gifted students. The dynamic within the classroom creates a balance of perspectives while also creating a more creative environment.